Drought Management and Mitigation
Social Justice & Development
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Drought is a recurring natural disaster in India with widespread impacts on the economy, society, and environment. UPSC expects understanding of policy responses, disaster management frameworks, and sustainable solutions.
Drought is a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to water shortage and significant socio-economic and environmental impacts. Effective drought management involves a combination of preparedness, mitigation, and relief measures to minimize its adverse effects on agriculture, livelihoods, and water resources.
Facts & tables
- Socio-Economic Problems
- A weak or delayed monsoon can lead to reduced food production, low yields of commercial crops, reduced farmers’ income, increased migration to urban areas, and panic sale of cattle.
- Urgent Measures
- Requires urgent remedial measures from both Union and State governments to address the situation on priority.
- Causes
- Can be triggered by climatic factors such as 'super El Nino' and reduced African sea winds.
- Impact on Livelihoods
- Directly affects farmer livelihoods, potentially leading to severe distress if dry spells continue.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Agricultural Policies & Supply Chains |
| Conceptual area | Physical & Regional Geography |
| Conceptual area | Environmental Law & Policy |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Union Government of India | Responsible for policy |
| State Governments (e.g., Karnataka) | Responsible for implementation and policy |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- Drought is a major natural disaster in India.
- Impacts agriculture, water, livelihoods.
- Management involves preparedness, mitigation, relief.
- Key strategies: water harvesting, crop diversification, irrigation.
- Government schemes crucial for relief.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2021 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2020 | Conceptual understanding, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2016 | Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures |
| 2016 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2014 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
-
Agricultural Policies & Supply Chains
Conceptual area
-
Physical & Regional Geography
Conceptual area
-
Environmental Law & Policy
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2014
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2016
Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2016
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2020
Conceptual understanding, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2021
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Situation grim, but recent rains in Maharashtra have raised some hope in north Karnataka
Drought management encompasses proactive measures like water conservation and crop planning, and reactive relief efforts such as financial aid and employment schemes, to reduce the severe socio-economic and environmental consequences of prolonged water scarcity.
See also
Past papers
2014–2026 · 7 questions
In the news
Situation grim, but recent rains in Maharashtra have raised some hope in north Karnataka
Drought management encompasses proactive measures like water conservation and crop planning, and reactive relief efforts such as financial aid and employment schemes, to reduce the severe socio-economic and environmental consequences of prolonged water scarcity.
Try these PYQs
With reference to ‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana’, consider the following statements:
1. Under this scheme, farmers will have to pay a uniform premium of two per cent for any crop they cultivate in any season of the year.
2. This scheme covers post-harvest losses arising out of cyclones and unseasonal rains.
Which of the statements given about is/are correct?
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a government-sponsored crop insurance scheme. Statement 1 is Incorrect: Under this scheme, farmers have to pay a uniform premium of 2% for all Kharif crops, 1.5% for all Rabi crops, and 5% for commercial/horticultural crops. The premium rate is not uniform for all crops in all seasons. Statement 2 is Correct: The scheme does cover post-harvest losses arising out of cyclones and unseasonal rains. Hence, option B is the correct answer.
Which of the following statements with regard to the persons with disabilities in India is/are correct ?
1. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, an Act passed by the Parliament of India in 2018, mandates reservation in education and employment, places a legal duty on Governments to ensure accessibility and non-discrimination.
2. The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan focuses on achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities across three key domains — built infrastructure, transport systems and information and communication technology.
3. The National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC) is a public sector organisation set up by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs as a not-for-profit company to promote entrepreneurship among Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act was passed by the Parliament of India in 2016, not 2018. It aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and places a legal obligation on governments to ensure non-discrimination and accessibility. It also mandates reservations for PwDs, such as increasing the quota to 4% in government employment and 5% in higher education. Statement 2 is Correct: The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) was launched in 2015 by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD). It focuses on achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities across three key domains: built infrastructure (barrier-free public buildings), transport systems (accessible railways, airports, and roads), and information and communication technology (accessible government websites and digital ecosystems). Statement 3 is Incorrect: The National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC) is a Central Public Sector Undertaking registered as a not-for-profit company to provide concessional financial assistance to promote entrepreneurship, self-employment, and higher education among PwDs. However, it was set up under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, not the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Therefore, the correct option is B.
Programme/ Project Ministry
1. Drought-Prone Area Programme: Ministry of Agriculture
2. Desert Development Programme: Ministry of Environment and Forests
3. National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas: Ministry of Rural Development
Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Pair 1 is not correct: The drought prone area programme comes under Ministry of Rural Development. This programme aims to mitigate the impacts of droughts on crop production, livestock, land and water resources. Pair 2 is not correct: The Desert Development Programme comes under Ministry of Rural Development. The basic objective of the Desert Development Programme is to minimise negative effect of drought and control desertification. Pair 3 is not correct: The national watershed project for rainfed areas implemented by Ministry of Agriculture is an umbrella scheme under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana.
With reference to Water Credit’, consider the following statements:
1. It puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector.
2. It is a global initiative launched under the aegis of the World Health Organization and the World Bank.
3. It aims to enable the poor people to meet their water needs without depending on subsidies.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statement 1 is Correct. WaterCredit uses microfinance tools to help people access clean water and sanitation solutions. It provides small loans to individuals and households to invest in these facilities. Statement 2 is Incorrect. WaterCredit is not a global initiative under WHO and World Bank. It's an initiative of Water.org, an international non-profit organization focused on water and sanitation access. Statement 3 is Correct. WaterCredit aims to empower people by enabling them to pay for their own water and sanitation needs, reducing reliance on potentially unreliable subsidies. Therefore, the correct answer is 1 and 3 only.
Which of the following statements with respect to the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) is/are correct ?
1. The period of its implementation is 1st April, 2021 to 31st March, 2026.
2. The key objective of the Revamped RGSA is to develop the governance capabilities of the Panchayati Raj Institutions to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals.
3. The share of the Central funding for the Revamped RGSA is 100% for all States and Union Territories.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for implementation from 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2026 (co-terminus with the 15th Finance Commission period), not from 1st April 2021. Statement 2 is Correct: The primary objective of the revamped scheme is to develop and enhance the governance capabilities of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) so they can effectively deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It focuses on the localization of SDGs at the grassroots level through inclusive local governance. Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Revamped RGSA is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, meaning the funding is shared between the Centre and the States. It is not 100% centrally funded for all States and UTs. The sharing pattern is 60:40 (Centre:State) for general category States, and 90:10 for North-Eastern States, Hilly States, and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. 100% Central funding applies only to other Union Territories and specific Central components of the scheme. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
Show 3 more PYQs
With reference to ‘Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. This initiative aims to demonstrate the improved production and post-harvest technologies and to demonstrate value addition techniques, in an integrated manner, with a cluster approach.
2. Poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers have a larger stake in this scheme.
3. An important objective of the scheme is to encourage farmers of commercial crops to shift to millet cultivation by offering them free kits of critical inputs of nutrients and micro-irrigation equipment.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is correct. The Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion aims to demonstrate improved production and post-harvest technologies in an integrated manner with a cluster approach. Statement 2 is also correct. Millets are mainly grown in regions of low annual rainfall and poor arid soil. It is inadequate, small, marginal and tribal farmers, who cannot afford costly irrigation practices, depend on the cultivation of millets. Hence these farmers benefit from the scheme and have a larger stake in this scheme. Statement 3 is not correct. There is no such provision to encourage commercial crop farmers to shift to millet cultivation.
In a multi-ethnic district where both economic competition and historical grievances frequently led to community tensions, a flashpoint has arisen with a Government decision to allocate land for a waste management facility near a tribal hamlet, sparking protests by the tribal community, which claimed that the land was sacred and critical to their cultural identity. At the same time, urban residents and local industries supported the project, citing severe solid waste challenges and health concerns due to lack of a proper disposal site. The conflict has escalated with road blockades, social media campaigns, and allegations of police excesses.
As a responsible Government official, you are tasked with resolving the situation through mediation, ensuring a sustainable outcome that balances environmental needs, tribal rights, and urban public health.
Consider the following statements with reference to the above:
1. A successful conflict resolution process must begin with acknowledging the cultural concerns of the protesting tribal community before discussing technical alternatives.
2. The Government should move ahead with the project without delay to address urban health concerns, which outweigh the sentiments of a small group.
3. Creating a multi-stakeholder dialogue platform — including tribal leaders, environmental experts, and municipal representatives — to build mutual understanding and help de-escalate tensions.
4. Conducting an independent Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and sharing findings transparently with both sides to facilitate evidence-based decision-making.
Which of the statements given above would contribute to the resolution process?
Statement 1 is Correct: In standard mediation and conflict resolution practices, acknowledging the emotional, historical, and cultural grievances of marginalized groups is a necessary first step. Validating the tribal community's cultural concerns helps build trust and creates a conducive environment before negotiating technical solutions. Statement 2 is Incorrect: While addressing urban health concerns represents the utilitarian principle of the "greatest good for the greatest number," democratic governance and rights-based ethics dictate that this cannot come at the cost of steamrolling the fundamental rights and cultural dignity of a vulnerable minority. In India, tribal land and cultural identities are protected under the Constitution (Fifth and Sixth Schedules) and laws like the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, and PESA, 1996, which mandate respecting tribal rights and often require community consent. Statement 3 is Correct: Resolving complex public disputes requires inclusive, participatory governance. Creating a multi-stakeholder dialogue platform that brings together opposing parties (tribal leaders, urban representatives) and neutral experts fosters consensus-building, builds mutual understanding, and effectively de-escalates tensions. Statement 4 is Correct: Conducting an independent Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is a standard governance tool used to objectively evaluate the ecological and human costs of a project. Transparently sharing these findings ensures evidence-based decision-making, counters misinformation, and helps all stakeholders understand the objective realities of the proposed site. Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
Which of the following factors/policies were affecting the price of rice in India in the recent past?
1. Minimum Support Price
2. Government’s trading
3. Government’s stockpiling
4. Consumer subsidies
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Minimum Support Price (MSP): The government sets an MSP to ensure a minimum income for farmers. If the market price falls below the MSP, the government procures rice from farmers at the MSP. This can lead to higher rice prices for consumers if the government releases these stocks slowly or not at all. Government's trading: Government agencies like the Food Corporation of India (FCI) procure and sell rice in the market. Large-scale procurement by the government can affect market availability and potentially drive up prices. Government's stockpiling: The government maintains buffer stocks of rice for food security purposes. If these stocks are depleted due to various reasons, it can lead to a shortage and price hikes. Consumer subsidies: The government provides subsidized rice to certain sections of the population through schemes like PDS (Public Distribution System). This can influence overall demand and market dynamics. If the subsidies are substantial, it can put upward pressure on prices. Therefore, all these factors can play a role in influencing the price of rice in India.
Hence, option D is the correct answer.